Senior Press Assistant

Deadline for applications - 28 September 2021

Background:

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine is looking for highly qualified, motivated and experienced Ukrainian professional for the position of Senior Press Assistant with its Head Office in Kyiv. The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization.

Initial duration of appointment is for 12 months, subject to a subsequent OSCE Permanent Council Decision to extend the mandate of the Mission.

All qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online, using the OSCE online application link http://www.osce.org/employment/.

Please note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different formats than the OSCE Application Form or in other languages than the English language will not be considered.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, please see https://www.osce.org/uk/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The incumbent is the main interface between the OSCE SMM and media; acts as a focal point for the organisation of work of the Press and Public information Unit (PPIU); provides advice and suggestions on advantageous media interactions; provides administrative, clerical and secretarial services to the PPIU and the Chief of PPIU in particular; supports mission leadership in media and outreach activities and assists with the implementation and execution of the instructions given to the officers by the Chief of PPIU or any other member of Mission senior management. 

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Press and Public Information Unit the incumbent performs the following duties:

1.    Oversees the coordination and work flow of the Press & Public Information Unit, including teams in the field;
2.    Conducts media monitoring, drafts news items and media analysis on the issues relevant to the Mission’s mandate;
3.    Manages all interview requests for the mission from local and international media, including liaising directly with media outlets, scheduling interviews for senior leadership and follow up on interviews, including verifying quotes;
4.    Drafts distributes press releases and media advisories in English, Russian and Ukrainian to local media;
5.    Organizes press conferences and press kits; organizes and participates in meetings and other events involving the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine and journalists, or events pertaining to outreach activities;
6.    Supports Mission senior leadership in media activities in the field;
7.    Delivers briefings to new mission members and other interested parties on the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine's media and outreach activities; Assists with the intranet content;
8.    Provides substantial administrative support, particularly on HR abnd budget-related issues, to the Head of Press & Public Information;
9.    Maintains a database and keeps close on contact with journalists, international and local, who specialists on topics of interested for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine; monitors print and electronic media for relevant news and distributes to appropriate personnel as required; Liaises with the press and maps the list of media contacts;
10.   Assists in organizing and executing outreach activities;
11.   Performs other tasks as assigned.

Necessary Qualifications:

•    Ukrainian citizenship or holding permanent resident status in Ukraine;
•    Secondary education supplemented by specialised studies in Communication or Journalism/Media;
•    Minimum 6 years of experience in media, public relations or international organisation with established knowledge of the media environment in Ukraine, and proven ability in the preparation of media related documents and the preparation of PR events, including information material preparation and dissemination;background in administration and budget implementation;  
•    Professional fluency in English, Ukrainian  and Russian languages, excellent written and oral communication skills in the mentioned languages;
•    Exceptional communication skills, including the capacity to convey complex concepts and recommendations in a clear and concise fashion for different audiences;
•    Discretion and sound judgment in applying expertise to address complex and/or sensitive issues;
•    Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft Office applications;
•    Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
•    Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, as well as the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
•    Cultural sensitivity and judgment.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions is 1225.00 Euro/month. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna health insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. 

For more details please visit the OSCE website employment section at http://www.osce.org/employment/. All qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online, using the OSCE online application link. 

Please note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different formats than the OSCE Application Form or in other languages than the English language will not be considered.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.